Thursday, June 21, 2012

UK Striking Culture

Today British doctors are going on strike. The UK example of 'striking' should serve as a warning to Americans who believe that an increasingly left wing government is in their best interests. Far from it. It is my opinion that left wing politics create institutions and cultures of entitlement. British doctors are generally great at what they do, but when it comes to this issue, I have little sympathy. They work in the public sector and for public sector employees they are well paid. I personally would prefer a quasi private-public health care system in which good doctors could make more money (something similar to Romneycare in the US), but that is beside the point. The point is that too many public sector employees strike in the UK. The underground drivers strike because they can hold London to ransom, the bus drivers strike because they want a bonus for the Olympics, the firemen strike because they want a lot of money to work 3/4 day weeks, teachers strike because they don't want pension reform. Making public sector compensation more affordable is a central concern for governments facing tough budgetary pressures. Some say that the solution is to perpetually increase taxes, I prefer the Reagan solution. (Or the Walker solution - see wisconsin).